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Loading... Half of a Yellow Sun (original 2006; edition 2007)by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (Author)
Work InformationHalf of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (2006)
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This was a very interesting read. The story is set during the Biafran War, which, I am ashamed to say, I knew very little about, so this was a good opportunity to find out a little bit more about the whole event. And obviously, being I as curious as I am, prompted some independent research into the history of Nigeria and the tragedy of this war. We witness history unfold through the eyes of three main characters: the beautiful and smart Olanna, who abandons her wealthy family to live with the revolutionary professor Odenigbo; their servant boy Ugwu; and the English writer Richard, who is desperately in love with Olanna's twin sister Kainene. I loved how the author managed to show the way in which war affected the characters, and brought out the best and the worst in all of them as they were forced to face unimaginable difficulties, poverty, hunger and tragedy. All of the main characters underwent significant change as a result of the war, both in their personalities and responses to the adversities they must face, and in their view of the world, as their ideals and political opinions are ultimately crushed. The author was really good at describing the horrors of the war and, even though some images were slightly too graphic for my taste, it was never overwhelming or distracting from the main point she was trying to make in the specific moment. Overall, this was a really good book, and I can totally see why it was celebrated as much as it was. The only reason I'm not giving it full marks is because I found the author's prose, while for the most part excellent, was at times slightly too stiff and formal, and some of the characters reacted in way which, to me, seemed somewhat inconsistent with their personality as had been described up to that moment. But that may just be me being too critical, and this is an excellent book nonetheless. Originally posted on Book for Thought. An excellent book, with powerful, absorbing writing. The characters are complex, interesting and feel very real. The author explores multiple aspects of society in Nigeria and Biafra, spanning classes, urban/rural divides and gender. I can't wait to read her other book, Purple Hibscus [b:Purple Hibiscus|126381|Purple Hibiscus|Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1171914358s/126381.jpg|1057017] Nigerian Igbo twin sisters Olanna and Kainene are as unlike as they can be. Both however, are married/partnered to academics at the Nsukka university; one is an expat Frenchman and the other a Nigerian native, also of the Igbo tribe. The first part of the book we see lives, plans and relationships unfolding and coming to fruition. But then there is an outbreak of violence between the northern Nigerian tribes, primarily the Hausa, and the Igbo people. The presidency falls, genocidal massacres occur and suddenly there is no safe place. The story is told through the lives of the sisters, their partners, a child and a beloved houseboy all who support the secession of the southern part of Nigeria into what they hope will be a new nation of Biafra, where the Igbo can be safe. But none of the western powers come to the aid of the new nation. The Biafrans fight with homemade weapons and a sense of the justice of their cause. Eventually humanitarian aid is cut off. As well as being killed in constant air raids, the people of Biafra starve. The end comes with much more bloodshed and there is nothing to do but to be reconstructed back into Nigeria. This is a truly sweeping searing epic, not only telling the story of the brutalization of war and the failure of what some see as a just cause, but also of the evolution of relationships, and how quickly circumstances can change and lifestyles disappear. I’ll definitely be reading more of this author, who, in one interview said that Africa’s stories must be told by African authors.
While there are disturbing scenes, the writing is superb, and Adichie puts a human face on war-torn Africa. The characters are authentic, the story is compelling. It is a worthwhile read, which will linger in your thoughts long after you turn the last page. Belongs to Publisher SeriesGallimard, Folio (5093) Is contained inHas the adaptationInspiredAwardsDistinctionsNotable Lists
A haunting story of love and war from the best-selling author of Americanah and We Should All Be Feminists. With effortless grace, celebrated author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie illuminates a seminal moment in modern African history: Biafra's impassioned struggle to establish an independent republic in southeastern Nigeria during the late 1960s. We experience this tumultuous decade alongside five unforgettable characters: Ugwu, a thirteen-year-old houseboy who works for Odenigbo, a university professor full of revolutionary zeal; Olanna, the professor's beautiful young mistress who has abandoned her life in Lagos for a dusty town and her lover's charm; and Richard, a shy young Englishman infatuated with Olanna's willful twin sister Kainene. Half of a Yellow Sun is a tremendously evocative novel of the promise, hope, and disappointment of the Biafran war. No library descriptions found. |
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I found Adichie's novel a very enlightening read that really gripped me at times, but I also had to put it away every now and then. The suffering and the constant fear of loss in every possible sense of the word was put into words so well that it made me really sad. Living in a western country that is safe, I think it is important to read novels like Half of a Yellow Sun as they hold up the mirror to one's own life and make you question if not more could be done to help those in need when it might just be the coincidence of birth that put you into the life you are leading. 4 stars. ( )